1988 Toyota MR2 AW11 (Twincharged) - POV test drive

Twincharging is designed to provide low-rpm response (from the supercharger) that transitions into high rpm boost (from the turbocharger). Buddy's 1st gen MR2, tuned by BlackTrax, applies this concept to push 300 hp and 290 ft*lbs to the rear wheels! Quicker section starts at 7:06 despite fuel cutoff issues.
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[@zenrider_9622]

Beautiful car man. I've always had a thing for late 80s mr2

[@zachdailyfost4433]

oh my gawd.. that twin charge sounds amazing!

[@minor0confusion]

we get it... you have an nsx....

[@therealboofighter]

If I had one I would tell everyone.

[@hoobaguy4311]

minor0confusion No matter how nice it looks, it's still a honda.

[@gerijokub7737]

Adrian Maxwell, that's like saying, no matter how exciting Lamborghini is, they were still originally tractor makers.

[@jomaha9227]

They still do make tractors ... and they're badass.

[@andrewflores3221]

“I mean it’s not as good as the nsx”

[@jamesvzfighter]

The squeaks in-between shifts give the car character. This AW11 is perfect .

[@phoenixmistertwo8815]

That twin charge kit was my dream a decade ago, but HKS no longer sells it for quite some time. I have the factory 88 super two and the 91 turbo now but that mr2 is beautiful to say the least. Nice work!

[@jamesheim3679]

AW11 is like a mini Ferrari, wish I had one. (I don't endorse buying Ferrari's)

[@wyattgraff8306]

@@googlexd7294 and costs 4 grand

[@negativeindustrial]

Sitting in my 1990 MKII Turbo watching MR2 videos in the rain makes me smile way more than it should. Can’t wait until the rain lets up so I can pop the T-Tops and burn some of this $1.99 93oct!

[@Aladdin5cave]

Your channel deserves more views and subscribers. Another great review. Keep it up!

[@Zygrene]

+Aaron Li Thanks! Glad you enjoyed.

[@transnd]

Im subscribed after one episode!

[@phantommedia9964]

I'm shopping for my first project car and although I really want to get a Porsche 944, jdm still appeals too me lol, especially the MR2 which I am also considering. Btw, aren't you the guy who's NSX was featured on The Smoking Tire?

[@derekholmes4792]

His driving n knowledge made me end the video short.

[@topgarage7250]

beautifull Twincharger power !

[@dachanist]

This is the real cup of a carpenter.

[@samuelalarid2035]

Wonderful review and car!

[@ethownzbh]

Liking the new camera angle for the runs and nice review.

[@Zygrene]

+Ethanmeister Thanks bruh

[@GeraldSanAgustin]

Impressive. Brings back memories of the good old days with mine. I see a lot of people still have problems with that dip.

[@cliffywiffy562]

do you remember Alan Santos with the 89 Blue SC twincharged

[@GeraldSanAgustin]

@@cliffywiffy562 yes I do, I was there when he raced that motorcycle at Watson Center in Carson

[@h.j.victory6103]

Alan Santos is one low key bad ass mofo. That baby blue Twincharged mr2 was really special .

[@h.j.victory6103]

@@GeraldSanAgustin btw I've always been curious 🤔 which car ran better or more consistent. Yours or Alan's?

[@feral4mr2]

Still loving my twincharger. Not that I got to use it much last year due to finances, hopefully I can get more events in later this year once I've made the old bus my wife and I will be calling home finished.

[@andyknowles666]

As someone who's owned and driven the shit out of one of theses for over a decade, normally aspirated, SC, and Turbo'd it was extremely frustrating to see the 'fast' sections, you need way more time to get a feel for the handling of the car, these things can be pushed so hard round the bends. - No disrespect for the driver, it takes time to get to grips with one of these! - especially with the power all at the top. - you need to have real BALLS at the top end of the RPM range. Please get a video of this out on the track, or at least on a decent road so people can hear the FULL rev range

[@phoenixmistertwo8815]

Awesome. I wonder if the design of the twin charge HKS system was considered by I hear they stopped selling the kits years ago. I would be worried about the electronics and tuning is that would be over my head. I am happy with my factory supercharged with a oversized pulley but this concept is bad ass. Nice Work!

[@brandon23471]

Beautiful ride

[@blaspogelse8376]

I'd love to see someone build one of those twincharged 4A-GE's into a 7A-GE

[@negativeindustrial]

Bla Spogelse We actually did that using a stock MKII CT-20b and a Honda exhaust manifold back in 2005. It was pretty quick

[@johnsullivan937]

ive got the celica with the same engine as the non turbo mr2's. very fun and torquey but im about ready to upgrade to an mr2! that rwd really helps these cars move

[@thewills12]

I cant imagine this thing with 300 hp that would be wild

[@peterdactyl8071]

Did you take it on a track or something? How do you know how it feels at 7/10 - 8/10, because this video doesn't show anywhere near that?? Sweet MR2

[@hamsterbrigade]

+Zygrene Sounds to me like the biggest problem you're having is the suspension isn't setup correctly, track or no track, the steering shouldn't be jumping around like that. That's literally called bump steer, his suspension geometry needs to be setup. Awesome review btw.

[@riothero313]

+Marlon Bailey That dyno sheet looks like a crime scene.

[@Mr_jz_12]

the alignment looks horrible!

[@marlonguitierrez113]

im toyota lover especially mr 2s

[@Wiggy321]

Weird that there is a torque dip. This guy I know used to have a similar system in his AE92 Levin GTZ and there was no dip. The difference in engine was his was built by JG Dynamics (blue printed, knife edge crank and stroked to 1.8) and had an upgraded SC pulley (not sure if this MR does). Nice vid though.

[@bushtailrazorback9797]

i agree with aaron. your reviews are very informative. Buddy was right not to push the ogura s/c too hard as it is pretty archaic tech and even the bigger pulley runs them pretty hot. some of the discomfort is probably for a couple reasons. ST went way overkill on their sways some people report even tearing out swaybar mounts with them. you could be getting some bind in them. the mk1 was a little ifa parts bin car so it got longer dampers than it should have, which may face contributed to the stiff ride too, as the damper is so far compressed. also, with many strut suspensions you kinds have to run them stiff cuz their weakness is poor camber change. unlike your s2k and nsx's sla/double wish after parallel the camber curve moves to positive gain rather than negative. i found that rca's really helped with nibbleness as i had to fight roll force less. how did side to side loading feel? after i drive an frs i was sold on getting my roll center closer to my center of gravity. that is an insane mk1 and absolutely gorgeous. it takes a lot of tinkering to get the car dialed in but as you can see we mk1 owners like that challenge and will tinker for years

[@Zygrene]

+Bushtail Razorback Tons of in-depth information from you as always. I didn't push this AW11 as hard in the corners as some previous cars, so I can't say too much about lateral weight transfer, other than there's not much of it. The heavier steering rack (my NSX felt like it had power steering on the drive home) and bumpiness of the suspension didn't give me the confidence I needed to push. Hope Buddy can continue to dial in the chassis and engine response.

[@bushtailrazorback9797]

+Zygrene I'm scared enough in my buddy's evo 8 with 400whp. 300whp in a mk1 has got to feel like being strapped to a rocket, lol

[@eliseiodagiu5519]

This car is so clean I want one so bad, sad to see all the mr2 rising in price.

[@OlderthanIlookyoungerthanIfeel]

very good info delivery

[@Zygrene]

+jerry henderson Thanks!

[@woodyscott1110]

Awesome car

[@imtakumitrueno86]

Woooow I my self own a 89 supercharged version, and I'm not going to lie, I want more power but that car has some little problems that need to be taken care so the cars full power can turn in to beast mode.

[@Joshee365]

Boost cut is built into ECU to stop the engine from breaking due to too much boost. You haven't overridden the T-VSV. Plug a hose, and build a little circuit with 10 bucks in parts from radioshak

[@transnd]

Excellent presentation, commentary, flow, AV quality... I think your too polite. If the man needs to bleed or adjust his brakes, tell him, "yo mofo yer brakes are whack!" lol.

[@Zygrene]

Thanks, I actually think my audio still needs some improvement. I try my best to be objective when reviewing cars without being a total ass haha. Most of the cars I've driven have been well sorted.

[@transnd]

+Zygrene Heh, well it is easy for me to sit here and talk smack, but i understand now, a car is a persons pride (usually), and negativity towards that gets all psychological and stuff, so I see where yer coming from actually. Gotta work the field, u know how it is.

[@1gt4dude]

Big brakes naturally feel squishy, theres alot more area for fluid to be pushed into to move the pistons...

[@phantommaggotxxx]

I had a n/a that was down to 2250 lbs.. Man, I miss that car.

[@rileywalker115]

The trunk looks so much bigger with all of those pipes lol

[@cliffywiffy562]

My friend Alan Santos was the first to have the twincharger kit not Gerald , Alan had a blue 1989 supercharged and was used by HKS for their advertisements

[@Arizona9001]

Since this video is about the MR2, I thought it was strange the NSX had to be in frame at the start and during the viewing of the MR2 as a whole. On a good note, nice thurough camera work to show the MR2. What do you mean by "It obviously doesn't feel like a 300hp car" @ 9:06 i only ask because you say it feels like a z06 @ 505hp a 12:25. just trying to understand what you wanted to tell us.

[@inferno14u]

He was saying that with just the supercharger below 4500rpm, it doesn't feel as powerful but then when the turbo comes on, it is a big rush.

[@GoTeamSunny]

inferno14u all 16 valves start at 4300

[@TheBishop12]

Benjamin Kham well he did mention the mr2 was like a shortened wheelbase nsx. that and popups l ol

[@NoBrakes23]

Putting 17s on an AW11 seems like a sin.

[@Mr_jz_12]

[@NoBrakes23]

I love the way 17s look, but unless you're clearing brakes that the car HAS to have, I prefer smaller lighter wheels. An AW11 is light enough that 17s are just a fashion accessory.

[@Mr_jz_12]

NoBrakes23 Agreed there. I never got around to changing mine due to the fact they were the genuine sparco racing wheels and were on the car when i bought it some 12 years ago almost. Looking at dropping down to 15x8 work equip 03's though soon.

[@NoBrakes23]

+Gee Zed Eee Power Very nice.

[@mikehunt9861]

agreed son. Thats why i went with the 15x7 rota grid classics with 195/55/15 RE003's imo how it was meant to be :)

[@supercooled]

Is the NSX yours?? Got a video on that?

[@ericmichel3857]

It is funny how we always want more power, but on some cars they are actually better with less. I have made this mistake before and then detuned certain cars and found they were a lot more fun to drive and in some cases faster on road courses. Especially if it has a big peeky turbo with a lot of lag, going with a smaller turbo that spins up a lot faster might not give you the big HP numbers but gives a far more usable torque curve and is just much better in general. This car is a lot more fun with the amount of power where you can just run the piss out of it and not worry about that short wheel base and limited grip.

[@fcjohnny408]

Hey Man I'm located in Nor Cal. I have a 90 Skyline GTS-T Type M

[@riothero313]

MR2 is like the manly version of the Del Sol and the actual good version of the Fiero.

[@Zygrene]

+riothero313 Both are cars I want to review

[@cratecruncher6687]

It's about the MR2, not an NSX.

[@negativeindustrial]

Cratecruncher MKII Turbo is a faster car than the NSX anyway and I’d keep my MKII over an NSX every day of the week. NSX was amazing for Honda but it wasn’t the game changer people say it was. That title belongs to the AW11

[@DiegoMartinez-eg8te]

I have a 89 mr2 N/A and looking for a new front bumper. What front bumper is that on his mr2 ?

[@FukU2222]

Man he could easily be making up to 500 I think with that turbo setup, I don't know a whole lot of specs of turbo but a GT30 should be barely breathing at 300hp.... Fuel starvation//cutoff lel.... With a twincharger setup like that I feel like that would have been thought of. Heh, nice ride though, clean setup.

[@GoTeamSunny]

FukU2222 4age only make 400 before they grenade

[@jimchance5006]

*NiCe DeLoReAn*

[@JulianAKAWindy]

holy shit this if fkin goals

[@awong160]

Gah this video makes me miss my AW...

[@antoinevanoostdam5331]

Awesome! now to decide what setup for my 89 mr2, turbo the 4age or 3sgte swap? Decisions, decisions....

[@Kevster270]

+Antoine Van Oostdam my friend just did a 3sgte swap on his 87, he's spend ungodly amounts of money on it and it still isn't finished. Still needs wiring and a tune. I would go turbo 4a route just because you wont end up having to dump 15 grand into it

[@antoinevanoostdam5331]

+Kevin Corbett Jesus 15 grand! I know its an expensive swap but wow! Im pretty sure you could pay to have it done for 7-9k all in. The only other aw11 I have been in besides my stock 4age was a modfied gen3 3sgte and it set my expectations pretty high. But I would love try a 4agte since that may be the way to go

[@04dram04]

these cars are so underrated. The real miata, as far as im concernced

[@Tostito12345]

My 1988 MR2 Supercharged is making some noises any advice to get it fixed please. By the way that is a cool NSX too.

[@d1user]

What happend to it in the end?

[@ruk0r69]

can u put a k series in the 86 or is it not possible?

[@alientitimilk9073]

“Yeah so i put two superchargers on it” “Wait what the fuck?”

[@awong160]

Can we get an update? ^_^ This is one INSANE build

[@d1user]

No

[@keeoh5815]

@@d1user :(

[@sklyrovka]

The fact that you think that 1st gear would be harder on the clutch than 2nd says enough.

[@TheYamaha37]

i think you meant to say " the fact that you think 1st will be harder on the clutch than 2nd says enough" he doesnt know much about anything. thats for sure

[@sklyrovka]

Argh, dammit, misspoke. Thanks :)

[@TheYamaha37]

sklyrovka no problem man.

[@miataqc8763]

I know what you mean, but my car cars clutch actually does slip in 1st gear and no other gears. I dont know why.

[@TheBMWBUM]

@@miataqc8763 your left foot needs to get off the pedal then. Clutches actively slip in higher gears. 1st gear is you slipping it.

[@johndope419]

good job keep that aw11:w twnchrgr wow iused to drive aw11 religiously

[@corbinborrero9607]

Why does a decrease in the engines temperature cause a fuel cut in this car? Sorry if its a stupid question but i was hoping someone could give a more technical explanation.

[@Zygrene]

+Corbin Borrero I believe the ECU was programmed to cut fuel supply whenever engine temps are outside a designated operating range. Meaning if temps are colder or hotter than the operating range, the fuel cut kicks in to prevent engine damage.

[@Mulac19]

'Buddy' sounds a bit like the RegularCarReviews guy

[@s550andrew]

Lmfao imagine getting roasted and sitting the passenger seat punching the air

[@overdrivekill7]

nice

[@juliogallegos5056]

Hold on, I'm confused. Why was it getting fuel cut? Was it the engine that was too cold?

[@Zygrene]

+Julio Gallegos Yes, the engine must be within a certain range of operating temps otherwise ECU cuts fuel to prevent damage. It was tough getting the temps into the operating range due to the cold breeze that day.

[@logannorth8411]

How much was this I have a na 89 aw11 I wanna 2gz twin charge swap it

[@bliglum]

Riding them drunk bumps!

[@ryanbarbolt3691]

How are 215's wider than an nsx's front tires? As of 1994 they came with 215's.

[@Zygrene]

+Ryan Barbolt 1991-1993 models come with 205's in the front, 225's rear.

[@Miokomata]

Tell dave i said hi, lol.

[@evanmacias3416]

This is up on the other side of Calaveras.

[@channghiem5012]

Black tray put this together. Aki Mesaba

[@maxmustermann19203]

ls mr2 when

[@TheImyaFamiliya]

Hi, what model of camera you use?

[@Zygrene]

the headmounted one is a gopro hero 3 black with external mic, exterior is hero 4 silver

[@TheImyaFamiliya]

+Zygrene ,thanks for the information

[@FreestylerAlbert]

that NSX... wwwww

[@pscjr6111]

How deep North are you? I'm near Sonoma County.

[@Zygrene]

+Paul Campise I shoot most of my videos in San Jose

[@dphothisane]

is it legal to remove the trunk wall to make more room?

[@d1user]

Yes

[@wholespeed]

Hard mount the camera. You are making me sick.

[@archiecunningham3008]

comfortable anybody recognize smarter this vcriapt?

[@MistermookS]

Man, watching this makes my cammed Bluetop 4age like paperweight. Lol need gze in my life

[@Zygrene]

+MistermookS There's still something really appealing about NA for me

[@MatrixGarageCarbondale]

+MistermookS The supercharger is a boat anchor. You will get a lot more out of a turbo build.

[@ootoriazumi1349]

oh hey i know buddy.

[@azz187]

best thing to do is ditch the original engine and put a 2zz or k20 and then twin charge that that's what I'd like to do either way very nice car and hats off to the owner

[@thomascocks9136]

2zz is actually a pretty easy swap. And you're right, just bolting a turbo on a stock 2zz will fetch you around 250hp with much more capability if you upgrade internals.

[@nusratshaheen4913]

Need to have original wheel size to have have the best control.

[@edisonplack1190]

Your shifting could use some work

[@boostjunkie2320]

I wanted to hear the car but he wouldn't stop talking....Literally the entire video

[@MyLonewolf25]

The fact that you think 1st would be harder on the clutch than second says all I need to know... Second would be much harder since you're lugging it so much harder and putting MUCH more stress on the drivetrain in turn making it harder on the clutch You're already rolling 1st will have no problem what so ever

[@supremeflagship8965]

And I was hoping to hear that supercharger whine and turbocharger whistle. Instead I heard two guys talking...

[@feral4mr2]

Have a listen to my twincharged aw11. 😀

[@KCDrives]

It's unfortunate that such a rare twin charged AW11 has to be reviewed by a guy that's talking out of his ass and doesn't understand cars enough.

[@drewditty]

How reliable is this car?

[@d1user]

Very

[@triplebutted]

1.6l 300 horse god fucking damn.

[@sigmaprojects]

+hatchesarelife 300hp from a 1.6 isn't that crazy, I'm sure what is impressive is the power band.

[@36JakeTheSnake36]

Look up the combocharged lotus. 680whp from a 1.4 L engine. Power to weight is like 1.4 which is absolutely absurd

[@hoboemperor]

Did su work on this car?

[@Zygrene]

+hoboemperor Nope, Blacktrax worked on this one I believe

[@iliovecaRS]

hood view plzz ? like the one on tst

[@Zygrene]

+iliovecaRS Would you want a hood view plus the POV view? Seems a little redundant.

[@iliovecaRS]

Zygrene yes like on the smoking tire : a smaller pov view of the driving in the bottom left

[@icanturn6844]

I need boost!

[@Zygrene]

+Enzo loco Don't we all...

[@lotusesprit38]

I like the second generation, in terms of design is much superior it's a beauty ,and turbo engine is great

[@DaveBassTrekker]

Had to laugh - gauges on A pillar for easy visibility but you can't read the temperature...

[@darringoodbrand6603]

Its got a strange looking dashboard. Nice car though

[@tradingsgmail]

Why would ppl just keep destroying an original MR2 AW11 by making it a drag race car? Why can’t they just look for more horsepower in a Mustang?

[@JTMUSICCHANNEL]

Because it's their project. Let people enjoy it. Plus I seem them destroy mustangs and hell cats both

[@UmmmmRamos]

Is this the 4age or 4agze?

[@Zygrene]

+UmmmmRamos 4AGE

[@UmmmmRamos]

+Zygrene do you think that the 4agze would be easier to work on? Or can handle the boost more?

[@Zygrene]

UmmmmRamos Sorry, I meant it's the 4AGZE. I believe it's basically a 4AGE with forged pistons and lower compression so it should handle boost better.

[@rashaatta6657]

UmmmmRamos gze means its supercharged, GTE means its turbocharged, GTZE means it's twin charged

[@alexandracantillano8612]

Yo tube uno son máquinas deverdad

[@saqrilnasriq2334]

Chan ho nam's car

[@verdict1163]

Is the passenger wearing a helmet? Lmao.

[@iBanana-wn2ix]

And Uh

[@DEHDON13]

Charger onto turbo is better way to go

[@caleel1234]

sub

[@stefanmannn]

Most charming car of the world, fact. Pitty the 4age got a twincharger, fact